Extensions for bituminous finishers



Nov. 3, 1964 J. F. SAUER ETAL EXTENSIONS FOR BITUMINOUS FINISHERS 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed June 15. 1961 INVENTORJ J4me: IJauer BY mwea Jei1ardtfi z [a r/2 fihrfen-sorz ATTORNEYS Nov. 3, 1964 J. F. SAUER ETAL 3,155,021

EXTENSIONS FOR BITUMINOUS FINISHERS Filed June 15. 1961 2 Sheetg-Sheet 2 Z INVENTORS famesf jauer- BY Jam}; .1 fled/ 47111 55.- fa?" Q/Varzzrzsm WM M 4m P A TTORNE YS United States Patent V I 3,155,021 EXTENSIONS FOR BITUMWOUS FINISHERS James F. Sauer, Aurora, James J. Gebhardt, Jr., Lisle, and Earl l). Martenson, North Aurora, IlL, assignors to Barber-Greene Company, Aurora, 111., a corporation of Illinois Filed June 15, 1961, Ser. No. 117,314 5 Claims. (CI. 94-45) This invention relates to improvements in asphalt finishing machines and more particularly relates to improved devices for extending the lengths of the screed for such machines.

In asphalt finishing machines, it is frequently desirable and necessary to extend the screed as well as the tamper and deflector from a standard width of screed, tamper and deflector. In order to attain this, the screed, tamper and deflector have heretofore been extended by the use of bolts fitting through bolt holes of the size of the holding bolts. Where bolts are used to extend the screed and the associated tamper and deflector, the parts must necessarily be held in accurate alignment in order to insert the bolts through the bolt holes, and where the bolt holes are out of alignment or are unduly worn, it is difiicult to fit the various parts together in the proper alignment and to hold the parts in the required positions. In addition to this dificulty, the time required to align the parts and insert the bolts in the bolt holes is far longer than is economically feasible for the operation performed, and for this reason alone the use of bolts to extend the parts is impractical.

It has been attempted to use other fastening means, such as eccentric clamps, but such clamps are unsatisfactory because they can be adjusted in one direction only, rather than the two directions required to maintain the parts in the proper aligned relation with respect to each other.

It is, accordingly, a principal object of the present invention to remedy the foregoing difficulties by providing a simplified and improved form of extensible screed and connector therefor accommodating ready extension and disconnection of the screed.

A further object of the invention is to provide an im proved form of asphalt finisher having an extensible screed in which the extensible portions of the screed are connected together by detachable clamping members so arranged as to clamp the extensible portions of the screed into abutting engagement with each other and to accommodate ready alignment thereof.

A further object of the invention is to provide an improved form of asphalt finishing machine having a screed member and an adjacent tamper and deflector, together with extension members therefor, in which the screed member, tamper and deflector and extension members therefore have registrable apertured end portions, and in which clamping members fit through the apertured portions when registered and have engagement with one memher and are taken up by engagement with the other member, to bring the members into clamping engagement with each other.

These and other objects of the invention will appear from time to time as the following specification proceeds and with reference to the accompanying drawings where- 1n:

FIGURE 1 is a fragmentary perspective view of the rear end portion of an asphalt finishing machine looking at the rear end portion and one side of the machine, and illustrating screed, tamper and deflector sections constructed in accordance with the invention, connected to extend the width of the screed;

FIGURE 2 is a fragmentary perspective view looking at the extensible screed, tamper and deflector sections toward the extensible deflector for the asphalt; and

FIGURE 3 is a fragmentary vertical sectional view showing portions of the screed and an abutting screed section in vertical section and showing a retaining clamp in full.

In the embodiment of the invention illustrated in the drawings, we have shown in FIGURE 1, a fragmentary view of one side of the rear end portion of an asphalt finishing machine which may be of a type similar to that shown and described in Patent No. 2,597,221 which issued to Harry A. Barber on May 20, 1952, and is no part of the present invention so need not herein be shown or described, except to point out that the machine includes generally a screed 11 extending across the rear end of the machine and adjusted in the required angular relation with respect to the ground by adjustment screws 12 at opposite ends of the screed. The adjustment screws depend from leveling arms 13, extending along opposite sides of the machine and tilt the screed about its axis of connection to transverse bosses 14 of a draw bar 18.

The screed 11 has a bottom plate 15 having a vertically extending rear wall portion 16 forming a support for a yoke 17 extending along opposite sides thereof and connected with the adjusting screw 12. The bottom plate 15 also has parallel spaced connector plates 19 secured thereto and projecting upwardly therefrom and extending along opposite sides of the boss 14, forming a part of the draw bar 18 of the machine.

As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, two screed sections 21 are connected to the screed 11 in end to end relation with respect to each other to widen the screed for the length of these two sections.

Two tamper sections 23 extend along and are partially recessed within forward walls 22 of the screed sections 21 and are connected to one end of the tamper and are also connected together in end to end relation with respect to each other in the same manner the screed sections are connected together in end to end relation with respect to each other. Two deflector sections 24 extend along the forward end portions of the tamper sections and screed sections and are connected to the deflector in end to end relation with respect to each other in the same manner the screed sections are connected to the screed in end to end relation with respect to each other.

The principle of connecting the screed sections 21, tamper sections 23 and deflector sections 24 to the ends of the screed, tamper and deflector respectively, is the same for each section, so the screed section and clamping mean therefore need only be described in detail herein. Also the means for connecting the front and rear end portions of the screed sections is the same for each end portion, so only the connection for the rear end portions of the screed ections will be shown and described in detail herein.

I Each screed section 21 has a bottom plate 25 having the front wall 22 extending along its forward end and having a-rear wall 26 extending along its rear end portion and parallel to the front wall 22. As shown in FIGURES 1 and 2, cover plates 27 house heating chambers (not shown) mounted in the screed sections 21 between the walls 26 and 22 thereof.

The front wall 26 has opposite end portions 29, extending outwardly therefrom at right angles thereto and connected together at their upper and lower ends by flanges 30 extending outwardly from the wall 26. Marginal strips 31 also extend along the outer sides of the end portions 29 to reinforce said end portions.

As shown in FIGURE 3, an end wall portion 29 of one screed section abuts an end wall portion 33 of the rear wall 16 of the main screed. The respective end wall portions 29 and 33 have relatively large vertically spaced slots or openings 35 and 36 therein, having ribs 37 and 39 extending along the upper margins of the respective openings 35 and 36. The wall 2% is shown as having a bearing plate 42 extending inwardly therefrom and having a central socket 38 therein for engagement with a rounded end 40 of a take up screw 41 of a clamping device 43. The bearing plate 37 is bounded by wall sections 44 extending thcreabout and inwardly therefrom along the take up screw 41 and forming a guide for said screw when inserting said screw in the socket 38.

The clamp 43 includes a cross bar 45 having bifurcated opposite end portions 46, between which fit hooked clamping arms 47 pivotally connected thereto on transverse pivot pins 49. The hooked clamping arms 47 are biased in outwardly extending relation with respect to each other by means of torsion springs 5%. Each torsion spring 59 has a right angled leg portion 51 extending diametrically through the clamping arm 47 and pin 49. The spring 5% extends from the right angled leg portion 51 around the upper end portion of the clamping arm 47 inwardly between the furcations of the bifurcated portion 46 of the cross bar 43, between an inner wall 53 defining the inner margin of the bifurcated portion 46 and a pin 54 extending across the furcations of the bifurcated portion 46, and suitably secured thereto.

Each clamping arm 47 has a hook-like outer end portion 55 hooked outwardly with respect to said clamping arm and having a rounded end portion 57, contacting the outer face of the rib or ridge 37 and rounded at its contacting point to provide a rolling bearing surface on the rib or ridge 37, as the take-up screw 41 is tightened to clamp the screed sections into engagement with each other.

The openings 35 and 36 in t .e wall portions 29 and 33 are sufiiciently large that the screed sections or extensions can be adjusted forwardly or backwardly with respect to each other for proper alignment. The springs bias the hooks to fall in place back of the ridge 39 when inserted through the slots 35 and 36 and rounded end portions 57 of the hook-like portions of the clamping arms 4'7, enable the hook-like portions to seek a position where equal force is applied to both hook-like portions, to thereby clamp the extensions together with the contact surfaces of the wall 29 and 33 in uniform engagement with each ot er, and to thereby provide a maximum resistance to movement of the screed sections with respect to each other.

In extending the screed, a screed section 21 is moved into abutting engagement with the end of the main screed and draw bar with the wall portions 33 and 29 in abutting engagement with each other. The clamps @3 are then inserted in the openings 35 and 36 of the respective wall portions 2? and 33. As the clamps are inserted, the clamping arms 47 of said clamps are forced outwardly by the springs 50, to engage the hook-like end portions 55 thereof with the outer faces of the ribs 37. The take up screws 41 may then be inserted in the sockets 38 and turned by the fingers to hold the ends of the screed sections in abutting engagement with each other. The clamp may then be tightened by a wrench to hold the screed section securely in place. further adjusted by a pry bar or hammer blow and may be locked in a tightened position by a lock nut 69.

The screed section may be more finely adjusted by aligning blocks 60. As shown in FIGURE 3, one aligning block 6% is pivoted to the flange portion 3% of the screed section as by a nut and bolt 61 and may be turned to extend over a flanged portion 62 of the wall 16. A set screw 63, which may be locked in place by a lock nut 64 is provided to vertically align the screed section with respect to the main screed. Another aligning block 6%) is provided on the rear end portion of the screed section 21 and operates in the manner of the aligning block just described. Similar aligning blocks 66 and 6'7 are provided to vertically align the tamper sections and deflector sections.

The screed section 21 then may be In extending the tamper, the tamper section 23 may be connected together in end to end relation with respect to the main tamper by a clamping member 43 fitting through openings '70 in the end walls thereof in the same manner the screed sections are connected together. The deflector may also be extended by connecting a deflector section 24 to the end of the main deflector in end to end relation with respect thereto, by a clamping member 43 fitting through openings 71 in the end walls thereof in the same manner the screed section is connected to the main screed. Additional screed, tamper and deflector sections may also be connected in end to end relation with respect to the screed, tamper and deflector sections just described.

When the screed sections, tamper sections and deflector sections have been connected together in end to end relation with respect to each other and aligned, tie bolts '73 of the turnbuckle type are connected between the rear Wall of the screed section and the deflector section and tightened to set the proper tension between the deflector plate and tamper bar.

It may be seen from the foregoing that an extremely simple and effective method and apparatus has been provided for extending the screed of an asphalt paving machine and that the extended screed functions as an integral part of the main screed and is leveled and tamped with the main screed, and that the screed, tamper and deflector may quickly be extended by setting the extension sections in place and inserting and tightening the clamps and aligning the extension sections with the main members, in a simple and effective operation.

While we have herein shown and described one form in which our invention may be embodied, it may readily be understood that various modifications and variations in the invention may be attained without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts thereof, as defined by the claims appended hereto.

We claim as our invention:

1. In an asphalt finisher, a screed member, an extension member removably connected to said screed member for extending the length or" said screed member, said Screed member and extension member each having registrable apertured portions when said members are in abutting engagement with each other, the apertures of said apertured portions each having an inwardly extending flange along the margin thereof, a clamping member loosely fitting through the apertures of said apertured portions and having outwardly facing hook-like portions engageable with said flanges along the margins of said apertured portions of said screed member, and a clamping screw threaded in said clamping member between the outwardly facing hook-like portions thereof and having engagement with said extension member and turnable to bring said screed member and clamping member into abutting engagement with each other and to hold said members in abutting engagement with each other.

2. In an asphalt finisher, a screed member, an extension member for said screed member, said screed member and said extension member having vertically spaced apertured portions registering when said members are in abutting engagement with each other, the aperture of each apertured portion having a flange extending along the margin thereof, clamping means retaining said mem: bers in abutting engagement with each other including a cross bar having a clamping arm pivotally connected to each end thereof, said clampingarms being adapted to fit through the apertures of said apertured portions and having outwardly facing hook-like end portions en- 1 gageable with said flanges extending along the margin of said apertured portions of said screed member, a take-up screw threaded in said cross bar and engageable with said extension member and tightenable to clamp said extension member to said screed member and hold said members into abutting engagement with each other, the apertures of said apertured portions being of sufficient cross-sectional area to clear said clamping arms when said members are mis-aligned with respect to each other and to accommodate the clamping of said members in abutting engagement with each other and to permit the horizontal and vertical alignment of said members with respect to each other, and the hook-like end portions of said clamping arms being rounded on their contacting points with said flanges, an aligning bar vertically pivoted to the top of said extension member and movable over the top of said screed member, and a set screw threaded through said aligning bar into engagement with said screed member for vertically aligning said members with respect to each other.

3. In an extension means for extending the screed of an asphalt finisher and the like and in combination with a screed, at least two screed extension members, a first abutting the screed and a second abutting the end of the first, said screed and each extension member having a bottom plate, front and rear walls extending upwardly from said bottom plate, said front and rear walls having end portions extending at right angles with respect thereto, having vertically spaced openings therein registrable when said first screed extension member is in abutting engagement with said screed and said second extension member is in abutting engagement with said first screed extension member, each opening having a flange extending inwardly along the margin thereof, and clamping means for each of said screed extension members, clamping said members in abutting engagement with each other and in abutting engagement with said screed, each clamping means including a cross bar, clamping arms pivotally connected to opposite ends of said cross bar and having outwardly facing hook-like ends having rounded end portions engaging said flanges, torsion springs connected between said cross bar and said arms and biasing said arms outwardly to hook along said flanges as said hook-like end portions are inserted through said openings, and a clamping screw threaded in said cross bar and having a rounded end engaging one of said end portions, whereby said clamping means hold said screed extension members in abutting engagement with each other and with said screed.

4. In an extension means for extending the screed of an asphalt finisher and the like and in combination with the screed, at least two screed extension members, a first abutting the screed and a second abutting the end of the first, said screed and each extension member having a bottom plate, front and rear walls extending upwardly from said bottom plate, said front and rear walls having end portions extending at right angles m'th respect thereto, having vertically spaced openings therein registrable when said first screed extension member is in abutting engagement with said screed and said second screed extension member is in abutting engagement with said first screed extension member, each opening having a flange extending inwardly along the margin thereof, and clamping means for each of said screed extension members, clamping said members in abutting engagement with each other and in abutting engagement with said screed, each clamping means including a cross bar, clamping arms pivotally connected to opposite ends of said cross bar and having outwardly facing hook-like ends having rounded end portions engaging said flanges, torsion springs connected between said cross bar and said arms and biasing said arms outwardly to hook along said flanges as said hook-like end portions are inserted through said openings, a clamping screw threaded in said cross bar and having a rounded end engaging one of said end portions, whereby said clamping means hold said screed extension members in abutting engagement with each other and with said screed, aligning bars pivotally mounted on said end walls for movement about vertical axes and extending along the tops thereof over the end walls of a next adjacent screed extension member, and each having a set screw threaded therein for vertically adjusting said screed extension members with respect to each other.

5. In an extensible screed, a screed extension member, said screed extension member having parallel spaced upright front and rear walls having end portions extending perpendicular thereto, one end portion of said screed extension member having abutting engagement with said screed member when the screed is in extended relation and said screed member and said screed extension member having vertically spaced openings therein registrable when said end portions are in abutting engagement with each other, each opening having a flange extending inwardly along the margin thereof, clamping means clamping said screed extension member in abutting engagement with said screed member, comprising a cross bar, clamping arms pivotally connected to opposite ends of said cross bar and having outwardly facing hook-like ends, said clamping arms extending through said openings to engage said hook-like ends with said flanges, a clamping screw on said cross bar engaging the inner side of an adjacent end portion and holding said end portions of a screed extension member in abutting engagement with said screed member, and spring means connected between said clamping arms and cross bar and biasing said clamping arms outwardly with respect to said cross bar to hook onto said flanges upon the pushing of said arms through said openings.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS Wagner Sept. 27, 1960 

1. IN AN ASPHALT FINISHER, A SCREED MEMBER, AN EXTENSION MEMBER REMOVABLY CONNECTED TO SAID SCREED MEMBER FOR EXTENDING THE LENGTH OF SAID SCREED MEMBER, SAID SCREED MEMBER AND EXTENSION MEMBER EACH HAVING REGISTRABLE APERTURED PORTIONS WHEN SAID MEMBERS ARE IN ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER, THE APERTURES OF SAID APERTUTED PORTIONS EACH HAVING AN INWARDLY EXTENDING FLANGE ALONG THE MARGIN THEREOF, A CLAMPING MEMBER LOOSELY FITTING THROUGH THE APERTURES OF SAID APERTURED PORTIONS AND HAVING OUTWARDLY FACING HOOK-LIKE PORTIONS ENGAGEABLE WITH SAID FLANGES ALONG THE MARGINS OF SAID APERTURED PORTIONS OF SCREED MEMBER, AND A CLAMPING SCREW THREADED IN SAID CLAMPING MEMBER BETWEEN THE OUTWARDLY FACING HOOK-LIKE PORTIONS THEREOF AND HAVING ENGAGEMENT WITH SAID EXTENSION MEMBER AND TURNABLE TO BRING SAID SCREED MEMBER AND CLAMPING MEMBER INTO ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER AND TO HOLD SAID MEMBERS IN ABUTTING ENGAGEMENT WITH EACH OTHER. 